DO NOT use arm on side you had surgery on for BP etc

disneyfan2008

I have always heard-DO NOT use that arm as surgery for BP, BLOOD work etc. I tell them each time I have surgery or my annual colonscopy-MY last two d & c the anesthesiologist
& finger surgery (2 diff anesthesiologists)each said NOT really necessary! Has anyone else been told that?

I still ONLY use the one arm-only big issue is I HAVE terrible viens-so makes it that much harder!

Just curious!

Denise W.

Dawne.Hope

No
I haven't heard that ... I don't believe them.

I am shocked by the ignorance of so many on lymphedema.

I wasn't 'supposed' to get it.
If you have one node removed, you 'should' be fine.
Well, the more I read the more I discover it's not true. Germany and the UK are MUCH better and more knowledgeable about LE than here in the U.S. When I saw my LE therapist she showed me a picture of the lymphatic system ... the breasts themselves are pathways for the lymphatics. So, essentially if you remove both of them, you've taken out major highways of the system. If you close an interstate around a city there will be traffic jams. I think your docs are WRONG! My docs seem 'inconvenienced' when I tell them 'no' to blood draws and bp. Too bad! They don't have to live with the swelling, the pain. Our systems are compromised. Until I see substantial proof that THEY'RE wrong ... I'm not believing them.

I'm sorry about your veins, Denise. That just adds to the frustration. GRRRRRRR! I'm sorry! I wouldn't give in though when they want to use your cancer side. You're the one who might pay the price ... they won't.

disneyfan2008

Dawne.Hope said:

No
I haven't heard that ... I don't believe them.

I am shocked by the ignorance of so many on lymphedema.

I wasn't 'supposed' to get it.
If you have one node removed, you 'should' be fine.
Well, the more I read the more I discover it's not true. Germany and the UK are MUCH better and more knowledgeable about LE than here in the U.S. When I saw my LE therapist she showed me a picture of the lymphatic system ... the breasts themselves are pathways for the lymphatics. So, essentially if you remove both of them, you've taken out major highways of the system. If you close an interstate around a city there will be traffic jams. I think your docs are WRONG! My docs seem 'inconvenienced' when I tell them 'no' to blood draws and bp. Too bad! They don't have to live with the swelling, the pain. Our systems are compromised. Until I see substantial proof that THEY'RE wrong ... I'm not believing them.

I'm sorry about your veins, Denise. That just adds to the frustration. GRRRRRRR! I'm sorry! I wouldn't give in though when they want to use your cancer side. You're the one who might pay the price ... they won't.

at blood lab I tell them right away
I keep left arm in coat sleeve to remember to not use...I TELL them only right arm and bad veins....after many attempts they will say lets check YOUR OTHER ARM...i say NO...

during surgeries and colonscopies since my breast surgery exacatly 3 yrs now...I have them put special bright color band on my left wrist and some have NOT on IV pole as well...


Thanks for reply...

Denise

sal314

Never Heard That Either!
I'm 9 1/2 years out from being first diagnosed. I still tell every nurse and doctor not to use my right arm for BP or needles. They always oblige and have never questioned it.

I still see my oncologist every 6 months and he still tells me to be careful. I still where a compression sleeve when I fly as well. I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Oh, and I too have crappy veins! Sometimes it takes 3 times to draw blood! I'm sure some nurses think I must have been a drug addict at one time! LOL.

Best,

Sally

mwallace1325

Bracelet on that arm
I have a bracelet on that arm in case I'm ever unable to tell anyone. Please don't let them use that arm. There is a reason we're told that.

marge

cindycflynn

Never had anyone question this
I've told everyone not to use my right arm since my surgery, and I only had 1 lymph node removed. I still ended up with lymphedema in the breast (so for the arm itself is OK).

Since lymphedema can be so difficult to deal with once it develops, I would definitely take care. I also started wearing a compression sleeve and glove when I fly just to be on the safe side. It's actually recommended to do that for anyone who had axillary lymph nodes removed. I told a friend about that (she'd been diagnosed about a month after I was so we went through treatment at the same time) and she said nobody had ever mentioned anything about that to her.

disneyfan2008

sal314 said:

Never Heard That Either!
I'm 9 1/2 years out from being first diagnosed. I still tell every nurse and doctor not to use my right arm for BP or needles. They always oblige and have never questioned it.

I still see my oncologist every 6 months and he still tells me to be careful. I still where a compression sleeve when I fly as well. I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Oh, and I too have crappy veins! Sometimes it takes 3 times to draw blood! I'm sure some nurses think I must have been a drug addict at one time! LOL.

Best,

Sally

compression sleeve when flying?
never heard of that...

Angie2U

cindycflynn said:

Never had anyone question this
I've told everyone not to use my right arm since my surgery, and I only had 1 lymph node removed. I still ended up with lymphedema in the breast (so for the arm itself is OK).

Since lymphedema can be so difficult to deal with once it develops, I would definitely take care. I also started wearing a compression sleeve and glove when I fly just to be on the safe side. It's actually recommended to do that for anyone who had axillary lymph nodes removed. I told a friend about that (she'd been diagnosed about a month after I was so we went through treatment at the same time) and she said nobody had ever mentioned anything about that to her.

My oncologist and surgeon
My oncologist and surgeon both told me to never have my blood pressure taken or blood drawn, or any type of injections, like a flu shot, from the arm where nodes were removed, and, to always be careful with my arm.

If you ever have surgery again, you should make sure they put a bracelet on that arm instructing everyone to not use that arm for anything. They have bright neon colored bracelets to alert medical staff for this and other things too.

Angie

disneyfan2008

Angie2U said:

My oncologist and surgeon
My oncologist and surgeon both told me to never have my blood pressure taken or blood drawn, or any type of injections, like a flu shot, from the arm where nodes were removed, and, to always be careful with my arm.

If you ever have surgery again, you should make sure they put a bracelet on that arm instructing everyone to not use that arm for anything. They have bright neon colored bracelets to alert medical staff for this and other things too.

Angie

I am very good at making sure no one uses my left arm
I was just curious if anyone else has been told ahh it's ok....to use

AT one surgery they couldn't get blood for test after many painful attmepts...I NOTICED ON my chart they wrote patient refused (preg test-mind you menopause some time back)! I never refused they just felt bad. MOST OF MY BLOOD work and IV must be in top of hand...

lovs2decorate

Watch when you get manicures as well...
My breast surgen also said if you get your nails done DO NOT let them cut your cuticles off and that you should ONLY use your own impliments when you have your nails done.

She also said if I get any kind of cut on the arm / hand that the node biopsy was done on that I am to call to her so she can decide if I should start on any type of meds to fight off possible infection.

Recently it was brought to my attention that if I do any kind of weights that I should wear a compression sleeve as well.

Hope this info helps.

Justine

mimivac

You are right
The risk of lymphadema is no joke and once you have it, you can't go back. I had a lumpectomy and only 2 sentinal nodes removed, but I still do not use that arm for BP or blood draws. Assert your right to do this even if the risk is small. You have every right.

Mimi

disneyfan2008

lovs2decorate said:

Watch when you get manicures as well...
My breast surgen also said if you get your nails done DO NOT let them cut your cuticles off and that you should ONLY use your own impliments when you have your nails done.

She also said if I get any kind of cut on the arm / hand that the node biopsy was done on that I am to call to her so she can decide if I should start on any type of meds to fight off possible infection.

Recently it was brought to my attention that if I do any kind of weights that I should wear a compression sleeve as well.

Hope this info helps.

Justine

manicures @Justine:
I no longer get nails done....due to surgery on both hands last winter! (arthristus in knuckles)and more to follow (I am sure soon-I can see and feel)with the surgeries ruined my nail bed so they split-etc and knuckles painful when they hold to file etc..

but good to know..I HOPE someone on this board didnt' know and learned something-like I DID today..

thanks for info!!!!!

Denise W

disneyfan2008

mimivac said:

You are right
The risk of lymphadema is no joke and once you have it, you can't go back. I had a lumpectomy and only 2 sentinal nodes removed, but I still do not use that arm for BP or blood draws. Assert your right to do this even if the risk is small. You have every right.

Mimi

mimi:
small risk....for sure...I was very slight risk of BC and got it...so NO one will talk me into it...(using left arm)

Lighthouse_7

disneyfan2008 said:

mimi:
small risk....for sure...I was very slight risk of BC and got it...so NO one will talk me into it...(using left arm)

I will NOT let anyone use my
I will NOT let anyone use my surgery arm! Once in a while a nurse will say, "I never heard of that" to which I respond, "Well you have now".
I was told that once I got lymphadema that it never really goes away. I am so careful that I don't even pick up anything heavy with that arm.
Haven't flown yet, but when I do I will wear a sleeve.
Hugs,
Wanda

disneyfan2008

Lighthouse_7 said:

I will NOT let anyone use my
I will NOT let anyone use my surgery arm! Once in a while a nurse will say, "I never heard of that" to which I respond, "Well you have now".
I was told that once I got lymphadema that it never really goes away. I am so careful that I don't even pick up anything heavy with that arm.
Haven't flown yet, but when I do I will wear a sleeve.
Hugs,
Wanda

flying.....
I have never heard anything until today about flying and any issues! could someone explain...? I have flown more since BC surgery then in my life...curious what it is about!~

cindycflynn

disneyfan2008 said:

flying.....
I have never heard anything until today about flying and any issues! could someone explain...? I have flown more since BC surgery then in my life...curious what it is about!~

Flying
Here's the web address to an article from Lymphnet.org that discusses flying:

http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnairtravel.pdf

Sorry, I don't know how to make it a link you can just click on.

Double Whammy

disneyfan2008 said:

flying.....
I have never heard anything until today about flying and any issues! could someone explain...? I have flown more since BC surgery then in my life...curious what it is about!~

I had to ask!
And I wouldn't have even known to ask if it hadn't been for this board. NO ONE (oncologist, surgeon, primary care physician) ever even mentioned not having BP or blood drawn or chemo on my bc side. After my bc surgery while in preop for my hysterectomy, I asked the folks (nurses, anesthesiologists)if since I had only 2 lymph nodes removed did I still need to avoid blood stuff/IVs in that arm. I got a mixed response! Anesthesiologist said there are mixed opinions and that it's probably ok, nurse (who had bc) said she won't have BP or blood draws on that side! So I asked my oncologist one day and she said it's just safer not to, that if I were in an accident or something and couldn't tell medics not to use that arm and they did, she wouldn't worry too much, but as long as I was communicative, I should avoid it. So I am.

When I got my flu and pneumonia shots this year, since they couldn't give both in the same arm, I got one of them in my butt as ordered by my pcp.

I won't take any unnecessary chances. It may be that there's not enough data on lymphedema for women who have had only sentinal nodes removed, but I don't want it regardless. To this day, no one has said a peep about flying, either. Guess I'll ask about that if I remember.

Suzanne

cindycflynn

That reminds me
We have a clinic that comes to our offices every year to do flu shots for employees that want them.

So I lined up last year and began to fill out the short form we had to turn in before being given the shot. I noticed that one of the questions was "Have you ever had a mastectomy?". Since I had a lumpectomy I answered No, but I asked the technician when it came to be my turn if that question was there because of the lymphedema risk, and he said that it was. I pointed out to him that some women, like me, may have had lumpectomies or other procedures involving the axillary lymph nodes, and that they should think about re-wording that question.

Kylez

cindycflynn said:

That reminds me
We have a clinic that comes to our offices every year to do flu shots for employees that want them.

So I lined up last year and began to fill out the short form we had to turn in before being given the shot. I noticed that one of the questions was "Have you ever had a mastectomy?". Since I had a lumpectomy I answered No, but I asked the technician when it came to be my turn if that question was there because of the lymphedema risk, and he said that it was. I pointed out to him that some women, like me, may have had lumpectomies or other procedures involving the axillary lymph nodes, and that they should think about re-wording that question.

My oncologist also told me
My oncologist also told me no shots, blood pressure readings or anything done to my arm. It is written on all of my records, but, I always remind them too.


Hugs, Kylez

Rague

disneyfan2008 said:

compression sleeve when flying?
never heard of that...

Yup - even without problems
Yup - even without problems you should wear a sleeve when flying. Pressure changes.

survivorbc09

mimivac said:

You are right
The risk of lymphadema is no joke and once you have it, you can't go back. I had a lumpectomy and only 2 sentinal nodes removed, but I still do not use that arm for BP or blood draws. Assert your right to do this even if the risk is small. You have every right.

Mimi

I never let anyone do
I never let anyone do anything with my arm. Unless they just want to look at it! LOL


Hugs, Jan